Forest of Japanese Hackberries in Jeonil-ri, Boseong

This forest is an example of the village groves found along Korea's south coast, planted to block strong sea winds and to serve as bibo (裨補), a practice of supplementing whatever a village lacks in order to protect it. It stands in front of the ancestral house of the Yeonggwang Jeong clan and has shared the joys and hardships of the villagers for generations. Each tree that makes up the forest is large and handsomely shaped, and, unusually for old trees, most remain well preserved and in good health; blending with the surrounding terrain and mountain scenery, the forest creates a beautiful landscape. The Forest of Japanese Hackberries in Jeonil-ri, Boseong is said to have originated when Jeong Gyeong-myeong, who distinguished himself serving under Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin during the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–1598), planted the trees to commemorate his meeting with the admiral. It is a dangsallim, a sacred village grove where an annual dangsanje, a rite in which the coming harvest was divined from the luxuriance of the leaves, has long been held; for its great historical and cultural value it is designated and protected as a natural monument.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Boseong, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

Natural Monument · 천연기념물